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Pagnanelli M, De Gaetano F, Callera A, Nappo G, Capretti G, Carrara S, Ferrari AMR, Cellesi F, Costantino ML, Zerbi A. Analysis of the Mechanical Characteristics of Human Pancreas through Indentation: Preliminary In Vitro Results on Surgical Samples. Biomedicines 2024; 12:91. [PMID: 38255197 PMCID: PMC10813168 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic surgery is extremely challenging and demands an extended learning curve to be executed with a low incidence of post-operative complications. The soft consistency of the human pancreas poses a primary challenge for pancreatic surgeons. This study aimed to analyze the preliminary mechanical characteristics of the human pancreas to develop a realistic synthetic phantom for surgical simulations in the near future. Pancreatic specimens, comprehensive of the pancreatic parenchyma and main pancreatic duct, were collected during pancreatic resections and analyzed through nano-bio-indentation (BioindenterTM UNHT3 Bio, Anton Paar GmbH, Graz, Austria) to measure the elastic modulus. Comparisons were made between slow and fast loading rates, immediate and post-freezing analyses, and multipoint indentations. The results demonstrated that a slow loading rate (30 μN/min), immediate analysis, and multipoint measurements are crucial for obtaining accurate values of the elastic modulus of the human pancreas (1.40 ± 0.47 kPa). In particular, the study revealed that analysis after freezing could impact the outcomes of the indentation. Moreover, the study suggested that both the pancreatic parenchyma and the main pancreatic duct should be analyzed to achieve a more precise and comprehensive definition of the. mechanical features of the pancreas. These preliminary findings represent the initial steps toward defining the consistency and mechanical characteristics of human pancreatic tissue with the goal of creating a realistic synthetic phantom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Pagnanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.C.); (A.Z.)
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Francesco De Gaetano
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.M.R.F.); (F.C.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Arianna Callera
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.M.R.F.); (F.C.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Gennaro Nappo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.C.); (A.Z.)
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanni Capretti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.C.); (A.Z.)
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Silvia Carrara
- Endoscopy Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alice Maria Renata Ferrari
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.M.R.F.); (F.C.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Francesco Cellesi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.M.R.F.); (F.C.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Maria Laura Costantino
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.M.R.F.); (F.C.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Alessandro Zerbi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy; (G.N.); (G.C.); (A.Z.)
- Pancreatic Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.C.)
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